Moving from Boston to San Buenaventura (Ventura) next month
I'm a remote worker and The unemployment rate is 3.2%, which is pretty low. Rent is about $2,101/month for a decent place. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
0 upvotes
14 Replies
Hudson Reyes
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 29, moved here 10 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Pine Hills and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The dating scene situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for couples. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Austin, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
37 upvotes
Julian Martin
I'm a software engineer and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
35 upvotes
Ezra S.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 38, moved here 3 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Oak Park and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Growing food and restaurant scene
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The walkability situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for couples. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Baltimore, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
32 upvotes
mountain_alexander77
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Dallas about 5 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Four distinct seasons
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are affordable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Good luck with whatever you decide..
29 upvotes
Naomi
haha yep pretty much
28 upvotes
Leah Thompson
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
23 upvotes
Adam
I've lived in The Heights for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good internet infrastructure
- The public transit scene is tough
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for young professionals. Feel free to reach out with questions..
16 upvotes
Grace Green
Used to live on the Riverside side, now on the Meadowbrook side. Completely different vibe. it was the best decision I ever made.
12 upvotes
Stella Baker
+1
10 upvotes
Greyson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 35, moved here 4 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Greenfield and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited shopping options
3. The school system situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for remote workers. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Houston, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
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